Counselling & Health Assistance

About us

About Us

NAMHPAC provides support, policy development, knowledge products, and technical assistance to the nation’s State-based mental health planning and advisory councils. NAMHPAC is a non-profit organization whose membership is nation-wide and includes members form each State and Territory mental health planning council.

Council Networking

Council Networking

Link with other state and territory mental health planning and advisory councils!

Other council members are your best resource for information sharing. The map below links to state and territory mental health planning and advisory council websites. Those state’s that do not have a dedicated council website link to the state mental health department website.

Technical Assistance

NAMHPAC can provide support to your Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council on a variety of topics and issues. Technical assistance is available concerning Council operations or mental health issues in your State or Territory. Assistance can be provided on-site or via telephone or E-mail.

Peer-to-Peer Consultations

Do you need brief advice, coaching, or just an opportunity talk through your concerns? A short, descriptive E-mail is all it takes to initiate a brief consultation. Tell us a little about yourself and your Planning Council and what’s on your mind. We will share your request with a volunteer trainer from another State or Territory to establish the brief consultation. Click here to E-mail us.

Plan a Retreat or Training for your PAC

NAMHPAC can provide on-site consultation, training, or technical assistance during a Planning Council retreat or training event. These are typically one- or two-day events using NAMHPAC staff and experienced Planning Council members from other states. We will assist you in planning the event through evaluation and continued consultation.

Onsite assistance is tailored to specific needs. Some recent responses include:
Orientation to the Federal mandates for Planning and Advisory Councils;
Using Data in fulfilling the duties of a Planning and Advisory Council;
Cultural competency;
Improving monitoring;
Understanding Evidence-Based Practices;
Recruiting key member to the Planning and Advisory Council;
Increasing autonomy and credibility;
Developing leadership skills;
Building relationships with the mental health authority; and
Facilitated action planning.
Your Planning and Advisory Council may have other needs. We will be pleased to work with you to identify individuals who can provide assistance.

On-site technical assistance is supported, in part, through grants and contracts from the Center for Mental Health Services and other grants.

All requests for this type of assistance must be in writing from the council’s current chairperson.

FAQ

What are State Mental Health Planning and Advisory Councils?

In 1986, a Federal law was passed that required states to do mental health planning as a condition of receiving federal mental health funds. It further required that the planning process include various stakeholder groups-consumers of mental health services, parents of children with emotional disturbances, family members of adults with serious mental illness, representatives from State agencies: mental health, education, vocational rehabilitation, criminal justice, housing, social services and the state Medicaid agency as well as public and private entities concerned with the need, planning, operation, funding, and use of mental health services and related support services. U.S. States and Territories then formed these councils which now exist in every state.

What do these councils do?

The purpose of the planning councils in each State and Territory is to meaningfully involve concerned citizens in planning and evaluating the mental health service delivery in their states. Defined by Federal law, these councils:

Review community mental health block grant plans and make recommendations to the State administration.
Monitor, review and evaluate all mental health services throughout the State or Territory.
Serve as advocates for adults with serious mental illnesses, children with severe emotional disturbances, and others with mental health needs.
What role does NAMHPAC play in this?

NAMHPAC provides technical support, opportunities for people to share information and ideas across states, and a national voice on mental health planning issues. The people active in NAMHPAC and a small part-time staff write resource materials, organize trainings, and assist each other through telephone, fax and e-mail technical assistance. To read a history of planning councils and NAMHPAC, read NAMHPAC’s whitepaper on the “Evolution of Federal Mental Health Planning Legislation” by Joseph de Raismes III (Colorado Mental Health Planning Council).

Who are some of the people involved?

NAMHPAC has a Board of Directors and a Public Policy Committee. Board members govern the organization using the NAMHPAC Policy Manual, which is based on the Carver governance model. Board members are elected by the membership at the annual membership meeting for three-year terms. The public policy committee is an ad hoc committee of appointed members who focus on mental health planning policy issues.

How do I get more involved?

Are you are a member of one of a mental health planning or advisory council in your State or Territory or a state-level advocate? Then NAMHPAC is the network where you are likely to find people who share your concerns. Most people first get involved with NAMHPAC in order to learn, but it usually isn’t long before they find the chance to help others. You’re invited to use this site to connect and communicate with others in the network. Participate in discussion forums and join the Listserve and receive NAMHPAC’s monthly newsletter. Encourage the chair of your planning council to join and stay involved. Remember: this website is your best connection to the range of resources and services available through NAMHPAC. Plan to visit often!

How else is NAMHPAC involved with mental health issues?

NAMHPAC commentates on pertinent mental health issues, stays aware of new and emerging information, and builds relationships with other organizations in the field by participating in coalitions and groups.

Our Latest News

There are many variations of passages of Lorem Ipsum available, but the majority have suffered alteration, by injected humour, or new randomised words.

The number of students seeking training for medical careers in the United States has risen to incredible heights. However, there is no corresponding increase on the opportunities available in American colleges and universities. As a result, many students who would have made promising careers as doctors are compelled to let go off their dreams and settle for other courses—or none at all—simply because they are unaware of the great opportunities in Caribbean Medical Schools.

The role of physiotherapists is to alleviate any form of pain and suffering, ensuring that the body functions properly and optimally. Scientifically speaking, physiotherapy Toronto deals with bodily malfunction, movement dysfunction, physical disorder, and other types of disability. In the past few years, the of physiotherapy services in Canada has increased tremendously.

With significantly longer lifespans and a diminishing dollar value, many aging adults are finding it increasingly difficult to make their retirement savings last. In fact, a large portion of the senior demographic has yet to budget for the costs of assisted-living or long-term home care Toronto. Fortunately, home health care companies may be able to diminish the need for constant monitoring from an in-house, support team. Aging adults who receive senior care services often enjoy higher quality lives and better overall health. Moreover, when decreases in cognitive functioning and physical mobility set in, these services are sufficiently flexible and adaptable for meeting a greatly expanded range of needs.

With an increase in demand on improving smiles for aesthetic and health benefits, many people are seeking the aid of cosmetic dentistry. This makes visiting a dentist or a prosthodontist a must. One form of cosmetic dentistry that is gaining in popularity is dental implants. They benefit the mouth in numerous ways.

When a car accident happens, everyone’s immediate reaction is to check for physical injuries, such as a bleeding laceration or a broken bone. If a victim is able to walk and talk without obvious signs of physical distress, the response is generally to assume the person is all right and does not need medical attention. That is why anyone involved in a car accident or who experiences physical injury as the result of another person’s negligence should contact personal injury lawyers Toronto with whom to discuss the accident.

The medical cannabis industry in Canada and globally is expected to be great in the coming years. A lot of progress has been witnessed in the past decade, and a lot more is expected in future. Experts believe that beyond 2016, the industry is going to experience a number of breakthroughs. In connection to this, here is a brief overview of the cannabis industry trends that should be expected in future. Visit medical marijuana Toronto and learn more from their online resources.

Massage therapy uses massage to improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, increase flexibility and reduce pain in joints. It has been used for thousands of years and, today, there are over 80 different styles of massage therapy that include several physiotherapy movements such as pressure, kneading and long strokes that impact the superficial layers of muscle as well as the deep layers. Usually a medicated oil or lotion is used here

If you suffer from a dry mouth, you know the discomfort and pain that can come with this condition. Also known as xerostomia, a chronically parched mouth can result in a raw throat, and irritated tongue, difficulty swallowing and tasting and cracked lip sores. The good news is that this condition is easily treatable. The tricky part is determining why your mouth is dry, as this ailment can be brought on by a host of other conditions from simple dehydration to a reaction to medications. In order to cure and prevent future bouts of a parched mouth, you must first determine the specific cause of your problem. Dehydration One of the most obvious reasons for mouth dryness, along with itchy red eyes, dry skin and fatigue, is a lack of saliva caused by dehydration. A study conducted by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies showed that to stay properly hydrated the average woman requires about 2.7 liters of water a day from food and beverages, while the average male requires 3.7 liters daily. Those who live in hot climates or are physically active need more water to replace fluids lost through sweat. Another factor is the amount of sodium in the diet. Too much sodium and too little potassium can also cause dehydration. To treat mouth dryness caused by dehydration, consider increasing your intake of fluids, cutting out high-sodium snacks and increasing your potassium intake with a banana…

Considering Health When Dieting Dieting has long been a favored way to lose weight. Apart from exercising, it can be one of the healthiest ways to lose weight. However, there are diets that are only geared toward losing weight with no regard for the impact the diet has on the body. Dieting should always be undertaken with safety and effectiveness in mind. If the diet does not suit any exercise undertaken, the physical condition of the dieter and the dieter's body type, it can have severe ramifications. Caloric Intake One of the main methods of losing weight via dieting is reduction of caloric intake. While reducing calories to lose weight is effective, the reduction should not be too great. The height, weight, age and exercise level of the individual must be taken into account before deciding on a caloric intake. The overall health of a person should also be taken into account. If there is an illness present that may be exacerbated by rapid loss of weight, it is prudent to speak to a physician before dieting. For individuals who are heavy, calorie intake should drop gradually. Use a calorie calculator or a doctor's advice to decide the best calorie intake for safe weight loss. Nutrients When focusing on dieting, the focus should not only be on caloric intake. It should ideally be on what foods are being ingested. Unhealthy, fatty and sugary foods should be eliminated as much as…

Nearly anyone who has worked in the medical field has worn scrubs at some point. While this is the common uniform worn by doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, many people do not understand why they are so prevalent. Medical scrubs offer many benefits to those who wear them, as well as their patients. Keeping Things Sanitary Medical scrubs serve as a protective covering for health professionals. Their full coverage design protects the wearer from bodily fluids or other dangerous spills. Frequently, doctors change into scrubs after arriving at work, or prior to beginning a surgery. This is to protect the patient. Doctors, nurses, and other individuals can carry infectious germs in on their clothing. Scrubs, which can be cleaned and sanitized, prevent the spread of infection. Sturdy Materials As noted above, it is important for hospitals and other locations to be kept sanitary for patients. Medical scrubs are comprised of material that is easy to clean. Their study nature allows the product to undergo rigorous cleaning. Frequently, hospitals or other locations sanitize scrubs in an autoclave. An autoclave is a high temperature oven that kills bacteria and other infectious organisms. Most articles of clothing are not built to withstand this heat. However, scrubs are built without snaps or other materials that may become damaged from high temperatures. Provide Comfort Medical professionals spend a lot of their time on their feet. Many of these individuals spend time lifting patients, taking…

Obesity has become a major problem in the U.S., and the problem has been steadily increasing over the last twenty years. Obesity has a variety of causes and can be difficult for some to overcome without knowledge and help. For those who are ready to shed excess pounds, the Slimband may be an extremely beneficial tool in helping them to attain a healthy weight and maintain it for a lifetime. Obesity can be due to a variety of factors. While behaviors such as bad eating habits and too little exercise definitely leads to excess pounds, there is also evidence that genetics play a role for some. Furthermore, culture, environment and metabolism may also contribute to the struggle of losing pounds. It can be difficult for some whom no matter how much they diet and exercise, still cannot manage to achieve lasting and permanent weight loss. This may lead to feelings of failure and the dreaded yo-yo dieting syndrome where fad diets are tried with minimal success, and usually the pounds return with a few more added on. The band helps in several ways. This procedure involves a gastric band that is placed on the upper part of the stomach. This is done via a laparoscopic procedure, so it is less invasive than other procedures. It only takes 30 minutes to put in place and it is done on an outpatient basis. This means the individual can go home the same…